This condition is often referred to in folk terms as “salt deposition.” In reality, it involves a disruption in protein metabolism, leading to the accumulation of uric acid and its salts in bodily fluids, blood, and lymph. Due to poor kidney function, these substances settle in the joints and tendons.
Thus begins gout. This disease typically develops gradually, initially affecting the smaller joints and causing deformities.
The joints of the hands and feet bear the brunt of the pain. They hurt during movement and when pressure is applied, swell up, and their mobility decreases, leading to the formation of nodules known as “tophi.” Sometimes, gout can manifest suddenly with sharp pain in a single joint, usually a small one. A characteristic symptom of the disease is joint pain at dawn, around 4-5 AM, and before it rains.
Preventing and treating gout primarily involves adhering to a strict diet. It’s essential to limit the intake of meat and fish (and when consuming them, to opt for boiled rather than fried). Plant-based foods high in protein—such as peas, beans, lentils, and mushrooms—should also be avoided.
Medications like atofan, urotropin, and urodan are commonly used. Drinking alkaline mineral waters, such as “Borjomi,” is highly beneficial.
While these measures can reduce the accumulation of salts in the joints, they do not help eliminate the already deposited salts. Without this improvement, the patient’s condition is unlikely to improve significantly.
Herbal remedies tend to be much more effective. At the forefront of treatment is the use of hemp or pumpkin “milk.” Hemp seeds are a unique little treasure trove of essential nutrients, a true miracle of nature. They contain about ten different amino acids, carbohydrates, alkaloids, and more. Preparing the “milk” is quite simple. About 20 grams of seeds are ground in a mortar, adding a bit of boiled water until it reaches a milk-like consistency. The resulting liquid is brought to a boil over low heat and consumed in small sips twice a day—half a glass in the morning on an empty stomach and the second half in the evening, about an hour to an hour and a half after dinner. Fresh “milk” should be prepared daily, and the seeds must be untreated. During this time, it’s recommended to take baths, as it’s believed that salts are expelled through the skin’s pores. The treatment course lasts from 10 to 15 days, with strict adherence to the diet.
Pumpkin “milk” can also be tried, though its preparation has its nuances. First, the pumpkin seeds are shelled and soaked in warm water overnight at a ratio of 20 grams of seeds to 200 grams of liquid. In the morning, the swollen seeds are passed through a meat grinder. The resulting mass is mixed with the soaking water until smooth. In this case, there’s no need to boil the “milk.” It is consumed in the same manner as the hemp version, with the same treatment duration. However, pumpkin “milk” may cause stomach aches, especially if treatment begins during the new moon phase. This indicates the presence of parasites, which may be partially or completely dying off due to the gout treatment. It’s important not to interrupt the treatment because of this.
Sometimes patients alternate between hemp and pumpkin treatments. There are known cases where this method yielded the best results. The choice is ultimately up to the patient, who must remember that treating gout is a lengthy process requiring persistence, consistency, and patience.
Don’t forget: during treatment, alcoholic beverages, spices, and spicy dishes must be completely avoided!
Now, let’s discuss local treatments. Of course, when salts accumulate in the joints of the cervical vertebrae, local treatment is unlikely to help. However, when tophi appear on the hands, feet, and similar areas, the pain is associated not only with salt deposition but also with impaired nutrition of the nerve endings in the skin and reduced blood circulation in the capillaries. Therefore, for treating various nodules, poultices and compresses are advisable. In spring, young nettle is harvested, soaked in a small amount of water, mashed, and these “dumplings” are placed on the affected area overnight. The herbal “dumpling” is secured with adhesive tape. In other cases, a mixture made from knotgrass or young clover works better. There are as many remedies as there are patients, which is not surprising, as each individual may lack different vitamins and trace elements due to salt deposition.
Now, about compresses made from one’s own urine. This is an ancient folk method. For this, a cloth napkin is soaked in urine, placed on the affected joint, covered with plastic wrap, and tightly bandaged. The compress is left on overnight. Urine contains fewer salts than the formed nodule, so the solution draws them out through the skin.
Among poultices, field chicory (known as “Peter’s whip”) undoubtedly takes the top spot. The shoots of the herb are finely chopped and poured with boiling water. The warm, soaked mass is applied to the joints and bandaged.
Patients often ask: how long can compresses be applied? Well, this type of treatment is not time-limited. Unfortunately, most patients stop using compresses when the pain subsides and the nodules “shrink,” meaning that many salts have already been drawn out. Lastly, it’s essential to remember: no matter how effective herbal treatments may be, one should not abandon medications like atofan and others. After all, while salts are being removed, the underlying protein metabolism disorder remains!